Elevator control system



April 26, 1938. J GIROLAN 2,115,201

ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 14, 1934 2 Shets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

NELLO J. GIROLAMI.

ATTORNEY.

INVENTOR'.

April 26, 1938. N. J. GIROLAMI 2,115,201

ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Aug. 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Shet 2 lllllll llllll! INVENTOR NELLO J. GiROLAMI ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 26, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application August 14,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in elevator control systems and more particularly to semiautomatic signal control elevators having remote dispatch boards from which the movements of the elevators are supervised by means of visible or audible signals to the elevator operators.

The principal object of the invention is to indicate in advance to the supervising director at the remote dispatch board all stops to be made by the individual elevators.

Another object is to enable the director to control the semiautomatic elevator stopping means at will to delay individual elevators by causing them to make extra stops to prevent the simultaneous arrival of two or more elevators at the main floor.

Another object isto simplify the electrical contact system for indicating the floor level of the several elevators on the remote dispatch board.

Another object is to provide simple means for correcting the individual floor level indicators should they fail to register the true position of the elevators.

Other objects and advantages appear as this description progresses.

In this specification and the accompanying drawings, the invention is disclosed in its preferred form. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this form because it may be embodied in other forms within the purview of the claims following the description.

Fig. 1 is a schematic wiring diagram of an elevator control system constructed and wired in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation view diagrammatically illustrating a conventional elevator installation.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of a dispatch board adapted to be used in conjunction with the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of one of the indicator units with the front removed.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the same.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the commutator controlling the floor level indicating lights and its driving means.

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of the same.

In detail the construction illustrated in the drawings comprises the conventional elevator system consisting of a plurality of elevator cars one of which is shown at I in Fig. 2. To avoid needless repetition, only one elevator and its associated control system is shown, the controls being identically duplicated for each elevator car.

1934, Serial No. 739,823

The elevator car I is suspended on the cables 2 which are wound in the usual manner on the drum 3 driven by the motor 4.

The motor 4 is energized from the source 5 of electric power, see Fig. 1, through the interposed motor-generator set 6 required in usual practice to obtain the type of current suitable for operating the elevator and the conductors I and 8. The magnetic relay switch 9 is interposed in the conductor 1 to open the circuits 6, I, 4 and 8.

The stop switches I0-I0 corresponding to the several floors at which the elevator may stop are provided in the elevator. These switches are selectively closed by the operator in advance. usually upon the entry of the several passengers to provide for the stopping of the elevator at the floors requested. The switches I0 are connected by the common wire I I to the low voltage secondary coil of the transformer I2, the primary of which is in circuit with the electric source 5. The opposite poles of the switches I0 are connected by the wires I3 to the plurality of contacts I4. Closing any of the switches III impresses a potential on the corresponding contact I4 from the secondary of the transformer IZ'through the wire II, the closed switch I0 and the wire I3.

The brush I5 is mounted in operative relation to the contacts I4 and is driven by the elevator car by the usual means (not shown). The brush I5 is electrically connected back to the secondary of the transformer I2 through the operating coil I6 of the relay switch 9 and the wire I'I. As the elevator progresses, the brush I5 moves seriatim across the several contacts I4 until it reaches a contact which has been rendered live by closing one of the switches Ill. Current then flows from the live contact I4 through the brush I5, the coil I6, and the wire II back to the transformer I2.

When the coil I6 is thus energized, the relay switch 9 is opened, interrupting the flow of current from the source 5 to the motor-generator set 8 and the driving motor 4 to bring the elevator I to a stop at the floor selected. The usual regulating devices enable the automatic stopping of the elevator at the correct level with respect to 45 this floor. After discharging the passengers, the operator starts the elevator by the conventional means which form no part of the present invention. The elevator is again stopped when the brush I5 arrives at the next live contact I4. The contacts I4 and I4 controlling the terminal stops at each end of the elevator run are permanently connected with the wire II and the current source I2 by the unbroken wires I3 and 6 E3". The elevator thus always automatically stops at its terminus.

Stop switches (not shown) are provided in the halls of the several floors of the building. Closing one of these switches will automatically stop the elevator at the given floor. The details of the electric circuits, of which these switches form a part, are well known to those skilled in the art.

The apparatus thus far described is the conventional automatic stopping signal control type of elevator equipment, several makes of which are operating commercially, to any of which the present invention may be applied. The above brief description of this equipment is deemed sufficient for understanding the application of the present invention thereto.

In the present improved control system, means are provided for the supervising director at the remote dispatch board to stop the elevator at will. The several wires l3 are connected by the wires iii to the multipole switch 20 located at the dispatch board. The opposite poles of the switch 29 are connected by the wire 2| to the wire I When the switch 23 is closed, the switches H) are short circuited, a bypath being provided for the current from the source I2 through the wires H and 2|, the switch 29, the wires l9 and I3 to all of the contacts Hi. The elevator will thus stop at all floors until the switch 23 is opened.

It is usual practice to provide the non-stop switch 22 in the elevator to permit the operator to effect an uninterrupted run to the terminus. This switch is interposed in the circuit of the hall stop switches above referred to thus enabling the elevator to pass floors on which people are waiting. In the present instance, the switch 22 is mechanically connected to the switch 23 which is interposed in the wire 2|. This opens the circult of the multipole switch 23 when the nonstop switch 22 is operated and prevents the director at the dispatch board from stopping the elevator when the operator thereof desires to make an uninterrupted run.

The elevator floor level indicator at the dis patch board consists of the vertically arranged row of lights 24 24 each corresponding to a floor in the building. One side of these lights 25 etc. is connected by the common wire 25 to the secondary of the transformer 26. The primary of the transformer is supplied with current from the source through the wires 21 and 28. The usual switch 29 is interposed in the line 21 to cut out the transformer 26 and the lights 24 when the dispatch board is out of use.

The opposite sides of the lights 24 are individually connected by the wires 3|l ---3ll to the series of brushes 3| which impinge on the rotary commutator 32, see also Figs. 6 and '7. The commutator is advanced a predetermined distance by means later to be described as the elevator progresses past each floor.

When the elevator is located at its lower terminal, the brush 3| contacts the plate 33 while the remaining brushes 3 to 3| impinge on the plate 33. The plates 33 and 34 are connected by the brushes 35 and 35 and the wires 3'! and 38 to the opposite poles of the two way switch 39. The central pole of this switch is connected by the wire 40 to the secondary of the transformer 23 opposite the common lead wire 25 of the lights 24.

When the elevator arrives at its lower terminal, its driving and associated control mechanism is reversed for the ascending run. The switch 39 is simultaneously operated by means known to those skilled in the art to engage its central pole with the contact to which the wire 31 is connected. Current then flows from the transformer 26 through the wire 40, the switch 39, the wire 31 and the brush 35 to the plate 33. From this plate the current flows through the brush 3| and the wire 30 to the light 24 and then through the wire 25 back to the transformer.

When the elevator rises to the second floor, the commutator 32 is advanced one step to bring the brush 3 I 2 into contact with the plate 4| interme diate the plates 33 and 34. This plate is permanently connected to the transformer 23 through the wire 42 and the brush 43 bearing on the plate 44 which is connected to the intermediate plate 4| by the short wire 45. The current thus available flows through the brush 3 and the wire 39 to the light 24 and back to the transformer 26 through the wire 25.

When the elevator rises to the third floor, the commutator 32 moves to bring the brush 3 on to the plate 33 which is supplied with current from the brush 35 and continues the illumination of the light 24 The brush 3| is simultaneously brought into contact with the intermediate plate 4| and supplies current to the light 24 through the wire 30 The ascension of the elevator to the next floor brings the brush 3| into contact with the plate 4| and so on, thus progressively illuminating the lights 24 until the elevator arrives at its upper terminal stop.

When this occurs, the two-way switch 39 is reversed to engage its central pole with its opposite contact to which the wire 38 is connected. This breaks the circuit to the plate 33 and extinguishes the lights 24 to 24 inclusive. Current then flows from the transformer 26 through the reversed switch 39, the wire 38 and the brush 33 to the plate 34. The brush 3| in contact with the plate 34 completes the circuit to illuminate the light 24 through the wire 30. The movement of the commutator is reversed as the elevator descends by means shortly to be described. The brushes 3| -3| are progressively brought into contact with the plates 34 and 4| inversely to the sequence described when the elevator ascends.

The commutator 32 is mounted on the shaft 46, see also Figs. 6 and '7, mounted in the standards 41, 48. The solenoids 49 and 50 fixed on the standards 41, 48 are adapted to actuate the commutator and have the armatures 5| and 52. The pawls 53 and 54 are operatively connected to the armatures 5|, 52 and are arranged to engage the ratchets 55 and 55 having oppositely disposed teeth and fixed to the ends of the commutator 32.

The springs 51 and 58 urge the pawls 53, 54 into inoperative position, retracted from the ratchets 55, 56. When the pawls are thus retracted, either pawl may operate its ratchet 55 or 56 and the commutator 32 without interference from the other pawl. The usual means are provided to retain the commutator stationary except when driven. The construction shown and above described is suggestive only and forms but one means of accomplishing the desired result. Other mechanism can be substituted within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

One side of the solenoids 49, 53 are connected by the wire 59 and 59 to the secondary of the transformer 26. The other side of the solenoids are connected by the individual wires 60 and 6! to the opposite poles of the two way switch 62. Means are provided for reversing this switch when the elevator arrives at its terminal simultaneously with the reversing of the switch 33. The central pole of the switch 62 is connected by the wire 63 tothe series of contacts 64. The brush 65 is operatively mounted with respect to the contacts 64 and is driven by the elevator through a suitable reduction gear (not shown). It is connected by the wire to the secondary of the transformer opposite the wire 25.

The brush 65 momentarily engages a contact each time the elevator passes a floor. In the circuit thus made, current flows from the transformer 26 through the wire 66, the brush 65, the contacts 64 and the wire 63 to the switch 62. If the elevator is ascending, the current will continue through the wire 6|, energize the solenoid 5D and return to the transformer through the wire 59. When the solenoid is energized its armature 52 actuates the pawl 54 in the ratchet 56 and advances the commutator 32 one step. I

When the switch 62 is reversed on the descending run of the elevator the currentsupplied the contacts 64 by the brush 65 fiows through the switch 62, the wire 60, and energizes the opposite solenoid 49. Actuation of the pawl 53 by this solenoid will drive the commutator 32 in the reverse direction since the teeth of the ratchet 51 are oppositely disposed to those of the ratchet 56.

It occasionally happens that the contacts 64 become dirty and the brush 65 will either fail to make proper engagement therewith or will rebound and make a double engagement. The commutator 32 will then fall to keep pace with the elevator and the indicator lights will give an incorrect reading of the floor level of the elevator. In prior practice it has been usual to correct the setting of the commutator manually. This requires the services of a skilled workman and the expenditure of an hour or more of labor.

The present invention provides the two way switch 61 operable by the director at the dispatch board. The central pole of the switch is connected by the wire 68 to the transformer 26. The opposite poles of the switch are connected by the wires 69 and I to the wires 60 and 6| respectively leading to the solenoids 49 and 50. This switch 61 is thus wired in parallel circuit to the brush 65, the contacts 64 and the automatic switch 62,

When the indicator lights 24 fail to register the correct position of the elevator the director operates the switch 61 to momentarily close the circuit of either the solenoid 43 or 56 as required. The commutator will then be restored to its correct position with respect to the floor level of the elevator and the reading of the indicator lights 24 will .be rectified. v

The means for indicating in advance to the director at the dispatch board the stops to be made by a given elevator consists of the series of lights H arranged alongside the lights 24. One side of these lights: H is connected to the secondary of the transformer 26 by the common wire 25. The wires 13 individually connect the other side of the lights H to the wires l3 leading from the stop switches Ill in the elevator. The switches II! are connected by the wires II and 14 to the secondary of the transformer 26 opposite the wire 25. Closing any of the switches l0 thus, besides impressing a potential on the contacts l4, causes current to fiow from the transformer 26 through the wires 14 and H, the closed switch l6 and the wire 13 to illuminate the corresponding light 1| and back to the transformer through the wire 25,

The light bulbs 24 -24 and H are mounted in suitable sockets on the rear base wall I in the dispatch board. The two series of light bulbs are mounted alongside each other in the compartments 16 formed by the vertical partitions 11 and the horizontal partitions 18. The light bulbs 24 and H are separated from each other by the walls 19 at the rear of the several compartments "5. The recesses formed by the walls 19 are enclosed by the red and frosted glass panes 80 and 8| in front of the floor level indicating lights 24 and the stop lights H respectively. The removable front 82 has the narrow strip of translucent glass 83 in juxtaposition to the compartments I6 and adapted to be illuminated by the lights therein.

The numbered indices 84 at the side of the dispatch board are adapted to be illuminated by lights (not shown) controlled by the hall stop switches to indicate the floors on which passengers are waiting for the elevators.

The invention operates substantially as follows: When the elevator is located at the lowermost stop, usually the main lobby of the building, the floor level indicating light 24 is illuminated through the circuit previously traced from the brush 3l supplied with current from the com mutator 32. As the passengers enter the elevator the operator closes the selected switches Hi to set the automatic control system to stop the elevator at the floors requested. This illuminates the corresponding lights H as previously described.

After the elevator has been stationary at the lobby a predetermined period, a visible signal is automatically given the operator to start. The director at the remote dispatch board may give an audible signal for the elevator to start in advance of the visible signal if other elevators in the system have arrived or are about to arrive at the main lobby. If no other elevator is due to arrive at the lobby for some little time, the director may signal the elevator located there to delay starting.

The series of stop indicator lights 7|, giving the director advance knowledge of the stops to be made by the elevators, enables him to govern the starting of the elevators accordingly. If an elevator is required to make an unusual number of stops and thus prolonging its run, the director can signal it to make an early start so as to preserve its timing with respect to the succeeding elevators.

As the elevator rises, the commutator 32 revolves as previously described and progressively illuminates the lights 24 etc. This presents a red glow at the strip of glass 83 due to the interposed panes 80. The stop indicator lights H are preferably of less candle power than the lights 24. The brighter lights 24 thus outshine the neighboring lights H to illuminate the glass strip 83 with a light line of practically uniform brightness throughout its length as the elevator rises. The dimly illuminated white lights H above this light line will not cause confusion as to the exact floor level of the elevator.

Having described the invention, what is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An elevator control system comprising an electrical motive circuit; a plurality of stop switches in the elevator adapted to be selectively operated in advance; means for opening said motive circuit when the elevator approaches floors corresponding to the manual switches operated; a remote dispatch board having index means thereon; an indicating circuit including means controlled by said manual switches for illuminating said index means relatively dimly; and means in said indicating circuit controlled by the position of the elevator for increasing the illumination of said index means.

2. An elevator control system comprising an electrical motive circuit including a relay switch; an electrical control circuit including operating means for said relay switch; a plurality of manually operable switches in the elevator car connected in parallel in said control circuit and arranged in series with said relay switch operating means; means for connecting said manual switches seriatim to said operating means as the elevator progresses; a remote dispatch board having a translucent pane therein; an indicating circuit including lights controlled by said manual switches and adapted to illuminate said pane relatively dimly and relatively bright lights in said indicating circuit controlled by the position of the elevator and adapted to increase the illumination of said index means.

3. An elevator control system comprising an electrical motive circuit; a remote dispatch board; and electrical control network including a plurality of manually operable switches in the elevator corresponding to the several floors each having one pole connected to a common line having a source of current therein, means connected to said common line and adapted when energized to open said motive circuit, means for connecting the opposite poles of said switches seriatim to said circuit opening means as the elevator approaches the corresponding floors whereby the elevator is stopped at floors corresponding to closed manual switches; an indicating network including means on the dispatch board in series with said manual switches to indicate the closure of said switches; and a multiple switch on said dispatch board connected in parallel with said manual switches in the elevator, whereby all of said manual switches can be short circuited so that the motive circuit will be opened when said elevator approaches any one of said floors.

NELLO J. GIROLAMI. 

